Birmingham, AL - September 19, 2013 - The Birmingham Children’s Theatre (BCT) will present The Watsons Go to Birmingham as part of its youth-centered contribution to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Civil Rights in Birmingham. Performances are scheduled for October 6 through October 18, 2013. BCT is preparing for a crowd of over 17,000 to converge upon the theatre to see Reginald Andre Jackson’s adaptation of Christopher Paul Curtis’ historical-fiction novel of the same title.

“This work is one of the most important works that BCT has produced in a long time. It was difficult for us to find something that addresses the real issues that children in 1963 were facing while ensuring that it was in a context that was appropriate and understandable for young children,” says Jack R. Lemmon, Executive Director. Watsons clearly fits that need.

The play chronicles a lengthy stay in Birmingham, Alabama, by the Watson family of Flint, Michigan. The family is collectively affected by the events that take place during their visit, specifically, the bombing of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church.

“It is important that BCT provide productions that are relevant to our children and their education. After all, our mission is to educate, entertain and enrich the lives of children through the magic of professional theatre,” says Lemmon.

Of particular note to educators are BCT’s Study Guides for each production. Created in partnership by BCT’s Director of Education and the Alabama Institute for Education in the Arts, all BCT Study Guides are tailored for each preK-8th grade classroom and are carefully designed to include both National Arts Standards and State curriculum standards outlined by the Alabama Course of Study. These well-researched resources are free for all BCT productions and are a key in-school component for supporting and sustaining arts education both in and out of the classroom. Guides can be downloaded at: http://bct123.org/studyguides.html

For detailed dates and times of performances, go here: http://bct123.org/the-watsons-go-to-birmingham.html

About Birmingham Children’s Theatre:
Established in 1947, Birmingham Children's Theatre exists to educate, entertain and enrich the lives of children through the magic of professional theatre. One of the nation's oldest and largest professional theatre companies for young audiences, BCT produces high-quality, professional theatrical entertainment and curriculum-relevant arts education experiences for children and families. BCT is the second largest employer of professional theatre artists in Alabama, and is Alabama's only professional touring theatre company. As the resident professional theatre company of the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex (BJCC), BCT operates the 150-seat Dominick Studio Theatre, the intimate 250-seat Wee Folks Theatre for students ages 3-6 and the larger 950-seat Mainstage Theatre for students ages 6-up. For more information about BCT, go to www.bct123.org.